ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronically elevated blood glucose levels accelerated by a progressive decline of insulin-producing ß-cells in the pancreatic islets. Although medications are available to transiently adjust blood glucose to normal levels, the effects of current drugs are limited when it comes to preservation of a critical mass of functional ß-cells to sustainably maintain normoglycemia. In this review, we recapitulate recent evidence on the role of pancreatic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in ß-cell physiology, and summarize effects of morphinan-based NMDAR antagonists that are beneficial for insulin secretion, glucose tolerance and islet cell survival. We further discuss NMDAR-mediated molecular pathways relevant for neuronal cell survival, which may also be important for the preservation of ß-cell function and mass. Finally, we summarize the literature for evidence on the role of NMDARs in the development of diabetic long-term complications, and highlight beneficial pharmacologic aspects of NMDAR antagonists in diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy as well as neuropathy.
